a)to hope that something will happen the way you want 祈求心想事成
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that she’s going to be OK.
我们祈求她不会有事。
b)to secretly put one finger over another finger, because you are telling a lie – done especially by children 〔说谎时〕偷偷将两根手指交叉〔尤为小孩所为〕
‘He’s nice, ’ said Laura, crossing her fingers under the table.
“他不错啊。”劳拉说,偷偷地在桌子底下交叉手指。
Examples from the Corpus
keeping ... fingers crossed• A lot of people are keeping their fingers crossed for him.• Widnes centre Dave Hanley will be keeping his fingers crossed that history doesn't repeat itself tomorrow.• We might be forgiven for keeping our fingers crossed that the CouncilTax will represent a reprieve.• And you can not help keeping your fingers crossed for him.• Bingham is keeping his fingers crossed that Gray's withdrawal is the only one.• Meanwhile, supplysergeants throughout the battalion were keeping their fingers crossed.
3not lift/raise a fingerHELPto not make any effort to help someone with their work 不(愿)帮忙
I do all the work around the house – Frank never lifts a finger.
家里所有的活儿都是我干——弗兰克一点忙都不帮。
Examples from the Corpus
not lift/raise a finger• I do all the work around the house - Frank never lifts a finger.• The Government are not lifting a finger to help the economy of Renfrewshire.• King Charles did not lift a finger to save her.
4put your finger on somethingCORRECTto know or be able to explain exactly what is wrong, different, or unusual about a situation 确切地明白,弄清,准确地指出〔错误、不同或异常之处〕
There was something about the man that worried Wycliffe, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
那个男子身上有种东西让威克利夫不安,但是他说不出那究竟是什么。
Examples from the Corpus
put your finger on something• One child put her finger on 17.• Ezra put his finger on the photos.• Lord Wyatt had put his finger on it: The hunts wouldn't let her in.• The Captain of the Lymington-Yarmouth ferry could not quite put his finger on what was wrong.• But what they were she could not quite put her finger on.• Nightbreed almost does, but fails for some reason I can't quite put my finger on.• Something was happening amongst the youthmovement that so admired him and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.• I can't put my finger on it, but there's something different about you.• I can't put my finger on it.
5not lay a finger on somebodyHURT/CAUSE PAINto not hurt someone at all, especially to not hit them 不伤害某人〔尤指不动手打人〕
Don’t lay a finger on me, or I’ll call the police!
要是你敢动我一指头,我就报警!
6have/keep your finger on the pulse (of something)KNOW somethingto always know about the most recent changes or developments in a particular situation or activity 掌握(某事物的)脉搏,了解(某事物的)最新变化[发展]
people who have their finger on the pulse of fashion and pop culture
掌握时尚及流行文化脉搏的人
7.have a finger in every pie/ in many piesTAKE PART/BE INVOLVEDto be involved in many activities and to have influence over a lot of people, used especially when you think someone has too much influence 插手每件/许多事情,每件/许多事情上都有一份
8twist/wrap/wind somebody around your little fingerPERSUADEto be able to persuade someone to do anything that you want 任意摆布某人,左右某人
Ed could wrap his mother around his little finger.
埃德能让自己的母亲言听计从。
9the finger of blame/suspicion5 if the finger of blame or suspicion points or is pointed at you, you’re blamed for or suspected of being responsible for something 指责/怀疑的矛头
The finger of suspicion immediately fell on Broderick.
嫌疑立刻指向了布罗德里克。
10.of a glove 手套的 the part of a glove that covers your finger 〔手套的〕指部
11shaped like a finger 手指状的THIN OBJECT OR MATERIAL anything that is long and thin, like the shape of a finger, especially a piece of land, an area of water, or a piece of food 指状物〔尤指土地、水域、食物〕
fish fingers
鱼条
chocolate fingers
巧克力条
finger of
the long finger of Chile
智利的狭长地域
12.pull/get your finger outBritish EnglishBrE informalWORK HARD used to tell someone to work harder 更努力地工作,加把劲干〔用于告诫某人〕
Examples from the Corpus
pull/get your finger out• You could easily finish your essay if you just sit down and pull your finger out!• So, come on shoe companies, pull your finger out, deliver the goods you advertise.
13.put two fingers up at somebodyBritish EnglishBrE informalANGRY to show someone you are angry with them in a very offensive way by holding up your first two fingers with the back of your hand facing them 〔手背朝对方〕向某人竖起食指和中指〔表示愤怒;此动作极具冒犯性〕
14.give somebody the fingerAmerican EnglishAmE informal to show someone you are angry with them in a very offensive way by holding up your middlefinger with the back of your hand facing them 〔手背朝对方〕向某人竖起中指〔表示愤怒;此动作极具冒犯性〕
Examples from the Corpus
give somebody the finger• As the vans move right over to pass them one of the men gives the team the finger.• People, young, old and indifferent, can have purplehair, swear at ballgames or give other motorists the finger.• The Master of Dreams was giving me the finger.
15.be all fingers and thumbsBritish EnglishBrECLUMSY to use your hands in an awkward or careless way, so that you drop or break things 笨手笨脚
Examples from the Corpus
be all fingers and thumbs• She was all fingers and thumbs - and worry.
16long-fingered/slim-fingered etcHBHhaving long fingers, slim fingers etc 手指长的/手指纤细的等
lovely long-fingered hands
纤纤玉手
17drink 酒DFDAMOUNT an amount of an alcoholicdrink that is as high in the glass as the width of someone’s finger 一指宽,一横指〔指玻璃杯内酒的量度〕
finger• Fingers of flamespread in all directions.• She ran a finger along the spine of the book.• In the glass was a finger of palegoldwine.• Then the patient's arms are placed on a table in front of him with the hands flat and fingers spread open.• But next instant, he came closer and his fingerscradled her face, the box in her hands keeping them apart.• Which meant that all of his fingers were presently occupied.• Ted anxiously tapped his fingers on the table.• The little finger of his right hand was cut off in a cornpicker, 1931.• She ran a stickyfinger down the monthly balance-sheet, then checked the figures against the handwritten bankstatement.• She hung in the room, strong arms around her waist, strong fingers around her legs.• Don't get too much ink on your finger or the print will not be clear.• Your fingers are the stars which do not touch themselves.
run your fingers through/over/along etc something• I put my hand in and tapped the rear of the little compartment, running my fingers over the surface.• I ran my fingers along the edge of a cabbagerosecurving over the overstuffed arm of the little chair.• I run my fingers over this invisibleobject, and little by little curiosity gets the better of me.• Julia stopped by the coldrange and ran her fingers along its surface.• Left alone with the car, Tod ran his fingers along the bodywork.• Robbie had to fight down an impulse to reach out and run her fingers over the darkmat.
the finger of blame/suspicion• He says it doesn't make sense to point the finger of blame, it's the law that is at fault.
2.informalSCCTELL A SECRET if someone, especially a criminal, fingers another criminal, they tell the police what that person has done 〔尤指罪犯向警察〕告发〔另一个罪犯〕